Enlades

The Enlades are a chain of islands in the Archipelago of Earthsea, a region famed for its wizards and its deep connections to the ancient history and magic of the world. They lie to the north of the Inmost Sea, and their name is often invoked in tales of great power and peril. The islands are part of the broader geography that shapes the lives of the people of Earthsea, from the high valleys of Gont to the distant reaches of the Kargad Empire.

Geography and Significance

The Enlades are situated in the northern part of the Archipelago, a region known for its strong magical traditions. The islands are mentioned in the context of the Kargad Empire's expansion, as the Kargs, a savage people from the four great lands of Karego-At, Atuan, Hur-at-Hur, and Atnini, had attacked the Torikles and the strong island Torheven, raiding in great force. This news came north to Gont, but the Lords of Gont were busy with their own piracy and paid small heed to the woes of other lands. The Enlades, like other parts of the Archipelago, were thus vulnerable to the Kargish threat, a reminder of the constant danger from the white-skinned, yellow-haired, and fierce people who liked the sight of blood and the smell of burning towns.

Role in Ged's Journey

The Enlades play a role in Ged's early life and his later voyages. As a boy, Ged, then known as Duny, grew up in the village of Ten Alders on the island of Gont, a land famous for wizards. The Enlades are part of the world that Ged will come to know, a world of islands and seas where magic is a living force. Later, when Ged is a young wizard, he travels to the Enlades as part of his journey. He passes by the Enlades on his way to Osskil, a land with a dark name, where he will face the shadow he loosed. The Enlades are also mentioned in the context of the ship that carries Ged to Osskil, a longship of sixty oars, gaunt as a snake, with a high bent prow carven and inlaid with disks of loto-shell. This ship, bound for the Enlades, takes Ged further from the safety of the Inmost Sea and into the dangers of the North Reach.

Cultural and Historical Context

The Enlades are part of the rich tapestry of Earthsea's history and culture. They are mentioned in the context of the Kargad Empire's raids, which are a significant event in the book's opening chapters. The Kargs, who are white-skinned and yellow-haired, are portrayed as a savage and warlike people, in contrast to the darker-skinned people of the Archipelago. This contrast is part of the book's exploration of cultural and racial differences, a theme that Ursula K. Le Guin later reflected on in her afterword, noting that she was "bucking the racist tradition" by making her hero brown-skinned. The Enlades, as part of the Archipelago, are thus part of a world where race and culture are significant, and where the balance of power between different peoples is a constant concern.

The Enlades in the Wider World

The Enlades are also a place where the boundaries between the known and the unknown are tested. They are part of the world that Ged explores, a world that includes the Open Sea, the Dragons' Run, and the distant lands of the Kargad Empire. The Enlades are a reminder that Earthsea is a vast and varied place, with many different cultures and histories. They are also a place where the power of magic is strong, and where the old songs and deeds of heroes are remembered. The Enlades are thus a key part of the geography of Earthsea, a place that is both real and mythical, a part of the world that Ged must navigate as he grows from a boy into a man and a wizard.